What Is a Shag Rug?

If you’re looking for a creative way to add flair to a room’s decor, one option you could consider is a shag rug. Visually distinct and growing in popularity, today we’re going to clearly define what a shag rug is and look briefly at their history, methods of production, and cleaning recommendations.

What is a shag rug?

Simply put, a shag rug is a type of rug made with a long pile. Pile refers to the length of the fibers; a low-pile rug or carpet has very short fibers, while a high-pile option has much longer ones. A high pile, also known as a deep pile, is what we tend to think of when we visualize shag rugs or carpeting.

While low-pile rugs (e.g. Berber and textured) are more commonly used in homes today, shag rugs are known for being fluffy and comfortable to walk on. This is because they’re made with more material than low-pile rugs. Aesthetically, they are known for their somewhat unkempt appearance, which provides a striking contrast in an otherwise polished room.

What’s the history behind them?

There is some historical evidence that the original shag rugs and carpets were a quite popular design piece in ancient Greece. They have also been used by Middle Eastern royalty throughout the centuries.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, shag carpeting emerged as a modern design trend that rose in popularity. Many homes built during those years still come with shag carpeting, though new homeowners often choose to replace it with more modern flooring options after buying the house.

Today, shag carpeting is still out of fashion, but shag rugs are making a comeback.

How are they made?

It’s believed that the very first shag rugs were woven by hand with goat’s fur. Today, however, they’re more commonly made with synthetic fibers or wool.

They can be extremely difficult to make by hand, so they are more commonly machine-made. This means that shag rugs are, more often than not, visually identical to each other, and they lack the imperfections and variations that come with a handmade piece. 

Are they machine washable?

This is a complex question, and you’ll get various answers depending on who you ask. In short, shag rugs can be machine washable. While we’ve put together a handy guide for keeping a shag rug clean without using your washing machine, you could in theory wash one on a delicate cycle. However, most professionals in the rug industry recommend that you spot-clean your rugs as needed and leave deep-cleaning to the professionals.

Rug Source offers shag rugs and so much more!

Our online store has a wide selection of rugs, including Shag, Persian, Turkish, Modern, and many other styles.

Whenever you need to buy a rug online, look no further than Rug Source. Our team is ready to help; just send us a message and let us know what you’re looking for. We’ll help you track down the perfect shag rug for your home!